Systems biology integrates different levels of
information for understanding biological systems. The
availability of the genome sequence of Helicobacter
pylori has allowed the construction of a genome-scale
metabolic model for this organism.
In order to study the behaviour of H. pylori and
understand the mechanisms associated with infection
using systems biology tools and controlled cultivation
conditions, fermentations in a chemically defined
medium were performed and several conditions were
tested. The experimental data obtained were compared
with simulated data generated by the existing model.
The simultaneous use of both approaches allows to
correct the in silico model and, on the other hand, to
rationally adjust the medium components. The
improvement of the genome-scale metabolic model will
allow the identification of potential targets in order to
design more effective drugs for the inactivation of H.
pylori
